Spy Shadow

by Tim Sebastian

All sins cast long shadows…James Tristram is an aging secret operative, soft of body but sharp of mind. Sent by English spymasterCornish to aid an uprising against the Polish government and its Russian sponsors, Tristram discovers the mission is a ploy.The real plot, concocted by Russian Stalinists with the aid of a long-time mole in the British secret service, aims to discredit the government of the Gorbachev-like general secretary of the Russian Communist Party.Appalled, Tristram sets out on a lonely effort to prevent the destruction of the Polish underground and the discrediting of the reformers.An espionage thriller full of intrigue and suspense, from an expert on the period, perfect for fans of Rory Clements, John le Carré and James Patterson. Praise for Spy Shadow‘Crisp and taut’ The Times‘A gripping literate thriller’ Publishers Weekly‘Set to rival John le Carré… this is a political thriller with real meaty and gripping, a frightening book, full of atmosphere’ Good Housekeeping

Genres: Fiction

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Seba...

Reviews

[Leane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Consistent with his first (Spy in Question—See my review.), Sebastian’s re-creation of the Cold War in Poland, London, and the USSR is very authentic and he uses the bleak architecture, frigid weather, the museum aspect and the specter of Auschwitz, and sometimes, his spare prose, to convey the drudgery of day-to-day mind-numbing bureaucracy of the British, Polish, and the Soviet state, as well as the lemming-drive-to survive, rapacious greed, and sometimes, martyred acceptance. Introducing us to the old Polish underground who once supplied the British with inside information in the beginning of the book and then catching up with those who survived, as well as the still-existent traitors on all sides gives us a good continuity and a stake in the minor CHs as well as major and the author’s use of CH terms like The Russian, The Civilian, and The Englishman also works well to allow the reader to see their purpose before we know who there are by name. The major CH, James Tristam, is the unlikeliest of spies and his ethical drive and latent skills well-defined as he moves from schlubby, middle-aged has-been to someone with a surprising spine as his own people leave him and his Polish contacts to fend for themselves. Even some of the most vile of the supporting CHs appear human and conflicted. The attempt at a more open society in the USSR plays a part in Plot and CH development and the author's references to dance lessons and tea drinking great CH builders. Sebastian reminds me of prime Len Deighton, and current Paul Vidich in his ability to integrate the superb spy craft details, along with the political, economic, and cultural specifics, adding to the Tone, which decorates the Setting, and enriches major CHs who become individuals to the reader as their desires, fears, and realities color the excellent plotting. The plot is somewhat obvious to a dedicated spy story reader as Cold War politics dance with the spying, counter-spying, betrayal, and retribution, but Sebastian surprised me a few times and made me want the third in the series. This one had a realistic and traumatic ending and there is no crossover from the first so they can be read in any order. RED FLAGS: Brutal Violence; Torture; Historical Misogyny. Other authors I would say are also readalikes besides the Deighton and Vidich mentioned above, is Dan Fesperman, David McCloskey, and Mick Herron.

[Stephen Hoffman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was extremely turgid to start with and at times felt like you were going through treacle. It improved markedly as the story went on. The ending was OK but nothing special.

The writing was of relatively good quality and the characters very realistic. I liked how nobody was drawn as a hero.

The writer gave you a good insight in to Poland and its history, particularly during the Soviet era and during the time of glasnost. It also gave an insight in to how the Soviet Union really worked or rather didn't work, as well as how this impacted on the spies on both sides of the iron curtain.

This was an OK book, but nothing special. I will try others by this author.

[Anthony Davis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn’t be bothered to read past the first chapter. I started to read it immediately after finish a John Le Carre novel and the difference was like day and night. Glad I bought it second hand and it’s in the bin now

[Ema · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weak plot

[Pete · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would rate this higher had the characters been developed to a greater depth. The story is well crafted with plenty of intrigue throughout. Sebastian did an excellent job of creating a depressed, dreary emotional backdrop to the plot. The frustration and resentment of the occupied Poles is almost tangible and it's easy to sympathize with their struggle.

[Cws]

A Seb